Classic

More photos from Mabel’s birthday… I realized after it was too late that I sewed one of the sleeves on her dress the wrong way. Years ago, that would have really bothered me. It doesn’t now. I’m far more laid back than I was even a few years ago, though I still struggle sometimes with anxiety. I had a bit of a roller coaster week and rough weekend. Unexpected circumstances knocked me over for a few days. I’ve been working hard to relax (isn’t it funny how some of us have to “work” to relax?) and take care of myself in the days since, and I feel mostly recovered now. I’m doing my best to accept things as they come, to trust in God’s plan. For me, the best way to relax is to have busy hands and a good book. I’m knitting socks in some of my fingering weight yarn, and I’m really loving them. I started reading the first book in the Mitford series(affiliate link) last night. I’m also trying to do a bit of cross stitching each day. I have a stack of unfinished projects, most of them by Alicia, and I need to be better about just making a few x’s here and there. I actually got glasses a few months ago, just so I could cross stitch. I’m very glad that I did!

Over the past couple of nights I watched a movie that I really enjoyed about a famous pianist (Leif Ove Andsnes) who devoted four years to delving deeply into Beethoven’s five piano concertos. It’s called Concerto: A Beethoven Journey. (That’s an affiliate link, but it’s free if you have Amazon Prime) Beethoven’s fifth piano concerto, commonly known as Emperor, is my favorite piece of music. I learned from this film that Beethoven wrote it after he lost his hearing. He was never able to play it himself. I knew that was the case with many of his pieces, but not this one in particular. It makes it all the more special. If you enjoy classical music, or have an interest in Beethoven, I think you’d like this film. The pianist is fantastic. I’m listening to this album now, the recording of Beethoven’s five piano concertos that he recorded during those four years of his Beethoven journey.

I remember as a little girl a rare trip (the only one) to the bookstore with my paternal grandfather. He drove a small sports car, and he blasted classical music the way people blast hip hop music these days from their vehicles. I think it must have been a Waldenbooks that we visited, at the mall in Birmingham, Alabama. I can’t remember how many books I was allowed to choose. Four, maybe. I probably chose a couple of books from the Babysitter’s Club series. And then a couple of others. I can almost remember. I have a memory of the store, and the books in my hands, just not the specific titles. Maybe, Mandy. Yes, I think Mandy was one of them. One of my all time favorites. I definitely remember how I felt on that special night with it’s unexpected gifts. And I’ve always loved classical music, even during my purple-haired punk rock years. I think it must have been my grandfather’s influence.

Absolutely unrelated, but a funny thing happened a few weeks ago…Greta Goat started making milk again. (We dried her off last fall, after milking her for nearly a year.) I was running low on her milk that I’d frozen, and was afraid I would have to stop making soap until sometime in the future (we aren’t sure right now if we will breed this fall. We might breed Tilly!) And now, here we are milking again, albeit, not as often, maybe only every few days, but I am slowly building up a soap making stash of goat milk. I’m planning a very small shop update for Friday at 11 a.m. ET. There will be about twenty skeins of yarn, along with a small batch of lavender patchouli soap. I’m so grateful that I can still offer it!

Reader Interactions

Comments

I really like the “Mitford” series…I’m sure you’ll enjoy them. Have you read any books by Miss Read, an author recommended by Mitford author Jan Karon? They are British books set in the 50s I think…I especially liked “Village School” and it’s sequels.

Oh I just finished rereading all of the Mitford books and wish for more when I need an escape! They are just SO lovely! And I spent lots of time reading many of Gladys Tabers relaxing and quaint books last summer and was just thinking of them yesterday. And I remember Mandy being one of my favorite books when I was younger too! Kindred spirits 🙂 Take care ladies!

Inspiring story here-when our daughter was at Converse College getting her art degree she met a young man from Egypt who was working on his masters in Piano performance there. He stood out as a male at a women’s college and he is a dwarf. He was part of our daughter’s circle of friends and came to our home from time to time and we always asked him to play for his supper. When we have gone to concerts where he has performed there is always an audible gasp when he takes the stage because he is child sized and one cannot imagine how he can play as he does. He went on to the NY School of Music and married one of our daughter’s friends. You can find him on Youtube under Wael Farouk. He is the head of a music dept at a university and continues to perform. I am always blessed to see him play on these videos. I hope you will look him up and enjoy his videos, too.

I am so glad I could share him with you. When I watch his videos now I am amazed that that wonderful music was played right here in our home on my piano. I have also been told that I am lucky he did not break any of the hammers as he has been known to do when playing Chopin! When he comes back to Converse College they always put him last on the program in case he does break any of the hammers in the piano! I am 5’3″ and he stands below my shoulder. We also had another young man who did his masters in voice here who sang for us on occasion and he is now with the Metropolitan Opera. Our lives were so enriched by just feeding hungry college kids!

Ohhh, Ginny…The Mitford Series! You will find it irrisistable, a source of great humour and joy. I also have the cookbook, and everythimg Jan
Karon has had published. I am thrilled you have chosen them to read.
Anxiety, is something I can relate to, as it rears its ugly head in my life, too.
As best as I can, I try to live a simple life, unhurried by todays standards and realize that my way, for me, is best. Blessings 🌺🐾🐾🐾🇨🇦

I also struggle with relaxing and anxiety. This week was also a rough week for me. My dog of 15 years passed and I am missing him so much. That is such ba nice memory of your grandfather. I have never heard of the Mitford series but I am going to look into that for some summer reading.

Oh, Lori! I’m so sorry for the loss of your dog! It’s so incredibly hard to lose pets, especially those we have shared so many years with. So far, I am enjoying the first Mitford book. There is something cozy and warm about it. I think they are definitely worth looking into!

That’s such a wonderful memory of you with your grandfather . . (and I also have to work to relax . . ). We look forward to the shop update, and the Beethoven movie. Thanks for the recommendations. xoxo

Ginny I remember the Walden book stores that were in the malls. Unfortunately most of the book stores are gone. I haven’t been to a book store in many years. There are no ones in my area. Even the local library did away with book sales. Looking and browsing at a book in a store or in a sale is something I love to do.
You have the Hitty book on the side as a book we are reading. I have read it and thought it was so nice.
Marion

Thank You Ginny for this interesting and enjoyable post. I have never read any of the “Mitford” series. They sound so relaxing. I have read all the Gladys Taber books. They are relaxing and pertain to Ms. Taber’s life in New England. You will probably enjoy the books.
Marilyn

praying that your anxiety disappears! I love my days when nothing is worrying me – I treasure them. I have crazy worries that pop up out of nowhere and I have to talk myself out of the panic I feel they rightly deserve. Everything I worry about never comes true, I hope that is the same for you.

So funny–a friend just recommended the Mitford series to me! I love your top. Wherever did you find it or did you make it?? You are a wonderful mother and I really enjoy your stories and thoughts. We all struggle in this world, day-to-day, overstimulated environments we live in. It’s very refreshing and nurturing for me to “tune in” and read about your life and realize I need to slow it wayyyyyy down. Thank you for that.

The dress you sewed for Mable is adorable! I read “Mandy” twice as a girl. It was one of my favorites. I am glad you mentioned it, as I had forgotten all about that book. I will have to look for my copy. : )

So finny that you mention “Mandy” as my 84 year old mom is visiting us and brought my old copy of that to read! Haven’t thought of that book in eons and now twice in 1 week💕 love the dress and … I made that kitty for my mom for her 83rd birthday!

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I often link to resources that I and my family personally use and recommend. I participate in the Amazon associates program and if you enter Amazon.com through my blog and then make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale. I never recommend a product or resource for the sole purpose of being compensated financially. If I write that we use or love something, you can trust that we do.